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Bhattacharjee A, Jana A, Bhattacharjee S, Mitra S, De S, Alghamdi BS, Alam MZ, Mahmoud AB, Al Shareef Z, Abdel-Rahman WM, Woon-Khiong C, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Ashraf GM. The role of Aquaporins in tumorigenesis: implications for therapeutic development. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:106. [PMID: 38336645 PMCID: PMC10854195 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01459-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are ubiquitous channel proteins that play a critical role in the homeostasis of the cellular environment by allowing the transit of water, chemicals, and ions. They can be found in many different types of cells and organs, including the lungs, eyes, brain, glands, and blood vessels. By controlling the osmotic water flux in processes like cell growth, energy metabolism, migration, adhesion, and proliferation, AQPs are capable of exerting their regulatory influence over a wide range of cellular processes. Tumour cells of varying sources express AQPs significantly, especially in malignant tumours with a high propensity for metastasis. New insights into the roles of AQPs in cell migration and proliferation reinforce the notion that AQPs are crucial players in tumour biology. AQPs have recently been shown to be a powerful tool in the fight against pathogenic antibodies and metastatic cell migration, despite the fact that the molecular processes of aquaporins in pathology are not entirely established. In this review, we shall discuss the several ways in which AQPs are expressed in the body, the unique roles they play in tumorigenesis, and the novel therapeutic approaches that could be adopted to treat carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadyuti Bhattacharjee
- Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
| | - Ankit Jana
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117558, Singapore
| | - Swagato Bhattacharjee
- KoshKey Sciences Pvt Ltd, Canara Bank Layout, Karnataka, Bengaluru, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Kodigehalli, 560065, India
| | - Sankalan Mitra
- KIIT School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT-DU), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Swagata De
- Department of English, DDE Unit, The University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan, West Bengal, 713104, India
| | - Badrah S Alghamdi
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Unit, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Pre-clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Zubair Alam
- Pre-clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Bakur Mahmoud
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Almadinah, Almunwarah, 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zainab Al Shareef
- College of Medicine, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wael M Abdel-Rahman
- College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Chan Woon-Khiong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117558, Singapore.
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Chandigarh-Ludhiana Highway, Mohali, Punjab, India
- Department of Research & Development, Funogen, Athens, Greece
- Department of Research & Development, AFNP Med, 1030, Wien, Austria
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW, 2770, Australia
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten-Herdecke, Heusnerstrasse 40, University of Witten-Herdecke, 42283, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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Charlestin V, Fulkerson D, Arias Matus CE, Walker ZT, Carthy K, Littlepage LE. Aquaporins: New players in breast cancer progression and treatment response. Front Oncol 2022; 12:988119. [PMID: 36212456 PMCID: PMC9532844 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.988119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small transmembrane proteins that selectively transport water and other small molecules and ions following an osmotic gradient across cell plasma membranes. This enables them to regulate numerous functions including water homeostasis, fat metabolism, proliferation, migration, and adhesion. Previous structural and functional studies highlight a strong biological relationship between AQP protein expression, localization, and key biological functions in normal and cancer tissues, where aberrant AQP expression correlates with tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this review, we discuss the roles of AQP1, AQP3, AQP4, AQP5, and AQP7 in breast cancer progression and metastasis, including the role of AQPs in the tumor microenvironment, to highlight potential contributions of stromal-derived to epithelial-derived AQPs to breast cancer. Emerging evidence identifies AQPs as predictors of response to cancer therapy and as targets for increasing their sensitivity to treatment. However, these studies have not evaluated the requirements for protein structure on AQP function within the context of breast cancer. We also examine how AQPs contribute to a patient's response to cancer treatment, existing AQP inhibitors and how AQPs could serve as novel predictive biomarkers of therapy response in breast cancer. Future studies also should evaluate AQP redundancy and compensation as mechanisms used to overcome aberrant AQP function. This review highlights the need for additional research into how AQPs contribute molecularly to therapeutic resistance and by altering the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verodia Charlestin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
| | - Daniel Fulkerson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
| | - Carlos E. Arias Matus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, Pue, Mexico
| | - Zachary T. Walker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
| | - Kevin Carthy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
| | - Laurie E. Littlepage
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, United States
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Pan JW, Zhang X, Jin XW, Wang XJ, Tu WC, Huang BX, Xu D, Shao Y. Hydropenia may accelerates the progression of orthotopic bladder cancer induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea by increasing the expression levels of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:2447-2453. [PMID: 34295731 PMCID: PMC8261423 DOI: 10.21037/tau-21-273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing evidence has demonstrated aquaporins (AQPs) to be critical players in carcinogenesis. Here, we aimed to explore the role of hydropenia in the progression of bladder cancer (BCa), as well as to assess the expression of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4 in bladder tissues from hydropenic and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-treated rats. Methods An orthotopic BCa model was induced by administering Sprague Dawley rats with MNU. A hydropenic rat model was established by administrating rats with 2/3 of the amount of water given to the control group. At week 8, the rats were sacrificed and their bladder tissues were collected. Then, pathological alterations in the rat bladders were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The RNA and protein expression levels of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4 were determined by using qRT-PCR and western blot assays. Results All of the rats (100%) administrated with MNU developed tumors, of which 5 were large (diameter, 0.5–1.0 cm), 10 were medium (diameter, 0.2–0.5 cm), and 5 were small (diameter, <0.2 cm) in size. The tumors were nodular and cauliflower shaped, with multiple satellite focus, and were accompanied by bleeding, ulcers, stones, and residual urine. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that the bladder mucosa was incomplete, with a large amount of necrotic tissue and obvious leukocytic infiltration. The tumor volume in the MNU + hydropenia group was significantly larger than that in the MNU group. Noticeably, hydropenia exacerbated pathological changes induced by MNU administration. QRT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that the MNU group, hydropenia group, and MNU + hydropenia group had significantly increased levels of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4 compared to the control group, with the most dramatic increase seen in the MNU + hydropenia group. Conclusions Hydropenia exacerbates pathological alterations induced by MNU in rats with orthotopic BCa by increasing the expression levels of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4. This study reveals a possible mechanism of the occurrence of BCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Wei Pan
- Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing-Wei Jin
- Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian-Jin Wang
- Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Chao Tu
- Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Xing Huang
- Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Shanghai, China
| | - Da Xu
- Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Shao
- Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Shanghai, China
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Chow PH, Bowen J, Yool AJ. Combined Systematic Review and Transcriptomic Analyses of Mammalian Aquaporin Classes 1 to 10 as Biomarkers and Prognostic Indicators in Diverse Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1911. [PMID: 32679804 PMCID: PMC7409285 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin (AQP) channels enable regulated transport of water and solutes essential for fluid homeostasis, but they are gaining attention as targets for anticancer therapies. Patterns of AQP expression and survival rates for patients were evaluated by systematic review (PubMed and Embase) and transcriptomic analyses of RNAseq data (Human Protein Atlas database). Meta-analyses confirmed predominantly negative associations between AQP protein and RNA expression levels and patient survival times, most notably for AQP1 in lung, breast and prostate cancers; AQP3 in esophageal, liver and breast cancers; and AQP9 in liver cancer. Patterns of AQP expression were clustered for groups of cancers and associated with risk of death. A quantitative transcriptomic analysis of AQP1-10 in human cancer biopsies similarly showed that increased transcript levels of AQPs 1, 3, 5 and 9 were most frequently associated with poor survival. Unexpectedly, increased AQP7 and AQP8 levels were associated with better survival times in glioma, ovarian and endometrial cancers, and increased AQP11 with better survival in colorectal and breast cancers. Although molecular mechanisms of aquaporins in pathology or protection remain to be fully defined, results here support the hypothesis that overexpression of selected classes of AQPs differentially augments cancer progression. Beyond fluid homeostasis, potential roles for AQPs in cancers (suggested from an expanding appreciation of their functions in normal tissues) include cell motility, membrane process extension, transport of signaling molecules, control of proliferation and apoptosis, increased mechanical compliance, and gas exchange. AQP expression also has been linked to differences in sensitivity to chemotherapy treatments, suggesting possible roles as biomarkers for personalized treatments. Development of AQP pharmacological modulators, administered in cancer-specific combinations, might inspire new interventions for controlling malignant carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrea J Yool
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia; (P.H.C.); (J.B.)
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Yin X, Huang H, Huang S, Xu A, Fan F, Luo S, Yan H, Chen L, Sun C, Hu Y. A Novel Scoring System for Risk Assessment of Elderly Patients With Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia Based on Expression of Three AQP1 DNA Methylation-Associated Genes. Front Oncol 2020; 10:566. [PMID: 32373535 PMCID: PMC7186486 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Aquaporin 1 (AQP-1), a transmembrane water channel protein, has been proven to involve in many diseases' progression and prognosis. This research aims to explore the prognostic value of AQP-1 in elderly cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML). Methods: Complete clinical and expression data of 226 elderly patients (aged > 60) with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) were downloaded from the databases of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We have explored prognostic significance of AQP-1, investigated the underlying mechanism, and developed a novel scoring system for the risk assessment of elderly patients with AML based on AQP1 methylation. Results: In the first and second independent group, AQP1 shows lower expression in CN-AML than normal people, while high AQP1 expression and AQP1 promoter hypomethylation were related to better overall survival (OS; P < 0.05). To understand the underlying mechanisms, we investigated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), miRNA and lncRNA associated with AQP1 methylation. A three-gene prognostic signature based on AQP1 methylation which was highly correlated with OS was established, and the performance was validated by Permutation Test and Leave-one-out Cross Validation method. Furthermore, an independent cohort was used to verify the prognostic value of this model. Conclusions: AQP1 methylation could serve as an independent prognostic biomarker in elderly CN-AML, and may provide new insights for the diagnosis and treatment for elderly CN-AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Yin
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Haifan Huang
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sui Huang
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Aoshuang Xu
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengjuan Fan
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shanshan Luo
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Han Yan
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunyan Sun
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Ringuette-Goulet C, Bolduc S, Pouliot F. Modeling human bladder cancer. World J Urol 2018; 36:1759-1766. [PMID: 29948049 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-018-2369-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bladder cancer is a major public health concern and the treatment options available are unable to significantly prevent disease recurrence and progression. The need for experimental tumor models to efficiently reproduce the pathology of human cancers has prompted researchers to attempt various approaches. METHODS A PubMed search combining the MeSH bladder cancer and models was executed in March 2017. RESULTS We review the advantages and limitations of currently available in vitro 2D and 3D bladder cancer models as well as in vivo rodent models. To date, despite the description of a variety of animal models (including transplantable, carcinogen-induced and genetically engineered models), the establishment of reliable, simple, practicable and reproducible animal models remains an ongoing challenge. Recently, sophisticated 3D culture systems have been designed to better recapitulate the phenotypic and cellular heterogeneity as well as microenvironmental aspects of in vivo tumor growth, while being more flexible to conduct repeated experiments. CONCLUSION Selecting the most appropriate model for a specific application will maximize the conversion of potential therapies from the laboratory to clinical practice and requires an understanding of the various models available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Ringuette-Goulet
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Oncology Division, CHU de Québec Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bolduc
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Pouliot
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.
- Oncology Division, CHU de Québec Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada.
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